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Win-E-Mac bests Mankato Loyola

03/14/2013, 6:00pm CDT

By Star Tribune

Shelby Kaster and Madison McKeever had 23 points

Win-E-Mac's Madison McKeever blocked the shot of Mankato Loyola's Elizabeth Ninneman during the first half of the teams' Class A quarterfinal game Thursday at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. Win-E-Mac won over Mankato Loyola 59-49. Photo: KYNDELL HARKNESS/

Win-E-Mac defeated Mankato Loyola, 59-49, in the girls’ 1A state quarterfinals Thursday. It was the first state tournament game for the Patriots since before any of its players were born.

“It’s been 24 years now [since Win-E-Mac’s last state tournament appearance] so coming out here and showing that we can beat bigger schools, it’s a good win for us,” guard Madison McKeever said.

“Those two, they’re our leading scorers the last two seasons so we expect that from them,” head coach Ian Hanson said. “We just expect the rest of the girls to chip in a few every now and then when they can get them.”

Mankato Loyola was in foul trouble early in the game. The Crusaders (26-4) committed 14 fouls in the first half and 15 in the second half. Guard Aunikah Bastian scored 13 points and hauled in 11 rebounds.

Win-E-Mac made more free throws (25) than Mankato Loyola attempted (23), but only shot 58 percent from the charity stripe.

Hanson said he stressed the importance of rebounding and free throw shooting to his girls before the game.

“We told the girls coming into the game we had to control the rebounds and we did that from the get-go,” Hanson said. “That, and I told them free throw shooting. We didn’t do a good job on that but at least the rebounds were enough for us.”

The Patriots (27-2) will play Ada-Borup in Friday’s semifinals at the Target Center.

DEREK WETMORE

3 Stars

1) Madison McKeever (Win-E-Mac)-The freshman guard was all over the court tonight, recording 23 points and adding six steals. The Patriots counted on her at the end of the game as the Crusaders committed foul after foul to bring McKeever to the line.

2) Shelby Kaster (Win-E-Mac)-The 5'11" forward spent a lot time around the basket, but was also effective with her jump shots. She ended the game with 23 points and 16 rebounds.

3) Aunikah Bastian (Mankato Loyola)-The leading point scorer for Mankato Loyola with 13, she was up and down the floor for most of the second half doing her best to get her team back in it.